Explore the top medical specialties that offer career happiness and work-life balance for physicians. Make an informed choice for a fulfilling career.
Family Medicine (General Practice)
Family Medicine Physicians treat patients of all ages and focus on preventative care and treating common conditions, screening tests, immunizations, and vaccinations.
Family medicine lends a form of flexibility that few other specialties share. Entrepreneurial physicians can start their practice without expensive equipment, resources, or infrastructure. Due to the lack of restriction on age, symptoms, or sex, there is often variety in day-to-day patient cases which keeps the interest of family medicine physicians. Additional flexibility presents itself with the average schedule of a family medicine physician. Office hours can be standard Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm structure with no call schedule or nights and weekends required. Family medicine physicians often report high levels of job satisfaction from the ability to build trust with their patients and help patients address health concerns through all stages of their lives. Compensation is not to be overlooked. Family Medicine physicians, on average, earn $290,116 per year.
Dermatology
Dermatologists focus on the conditions of the nails, hair, and skin. Within the field, dermatologists often treat psoriasis, rashes, eczema, acne, and other cosmetic conditions of the skin. They screen for skin cancer and can perform in-office procedures such as biopsies and vein procedures.
Much like Family Medicine, Dermatology allows for a regular work schedule with typical Monday through Friday office hours. Patient issues are often less time-sensitive on the dermatology front, so work-life balance is feasible, and stress tends to be lower. Dermatology appointments are often routine for patients with family risk, and procedures are less invasive than other specialties. Dermatologists do see repetitive cases in terms of the conditions treated most often, but this presents an opportunity to continuously build proficiency. Compensation ranks high for dermatologists, as the average salary is $303,871 per year according to Indeed.com.
Psychiatry
Psychiatrists are trained physicians who diagnose and treat patients with mental health conditions. Commonly treated conditions include depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, and OCD.
Similar to Family Medicine and Dermatology, Psychiatrists are often able to work a predictable schedule without weekend or evening hours required. Practice settings for psychiatry are diverse. Psychiatrists with an entrepreneurial spirit can open their own practice. Psychiatrists can practice within a hospital setting, or at schools, prisons, nursing homes, rehabilitation clinics, hospices, or telehealth. The diversity of practice settings makes for an interesting career where patient cases may vary immensely from day to day. Psychiatrists are no strangers to high stress levels, as treating patients with mental health conditions can be emotionally draining and come with high levels of liability. Psychiatry compensation on average is $262,614 annually according to Indeed.com.
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologists are physicians trained to diagnose and treat visual conditions both medically and surgically, and they can offer vision services such as corrective lenses.
Much like Dermatologists, Family Medicine Physicians, and Psychiatrists, Ophthalmologists have routine hours that don’t require evening and weekend call schedules. They develop rapport with patients and report satisfaction with work-life balance. Preserving or correcting a patient’s vision brings a strong sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Like most specialties, malpractice risk causes stress and can be time-intensive to navigate should any cases arise. The career outlook for Ophthalmology is strong. Entrepreneurial ophthalmologists can start their own practices, lending a greater sense of career autonomy. Ophthalmologist compensation averages $228,865 annually.
Radiology
Radiologists focus on the diagnosis of illness or injury using imaging technology. This technology includes positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and X-rays.
Medical training to become a radiologist is a steep investment of time, as it takes on average 12 years to complete the necessary schooling. Radiologists have the freedom to work in a variety of practice settings. There are standalone imaging centers, emergency clinics, primary care clinics, breast imaging centers, and many other practice settings. Depending on which practice setting a radiologist selects, they can work Monday-Friday hours and have a strong sense of work-life balance. Teleradiology has presented a new level of freedom for radiologists who prefer to work from home. Radiology compensation averages $456,290 annually.
Medical specialties that typically provide the greatest work-life balance include Family Medicine, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Ophthalmology, and Radiology. The decision of which specialty to pursue is an important one, and many factors should be weighed when determining which career path to pursue. Specialties that offer a larger sense of work-life balance, strong compensation, and a greater sense of satisfaction.
Physicians of all specialties should control the variables they can when it comes to their work-life balance, regardless of specialty. Setting boundaries by learning to say ‘no’, segregating work and personal spaces, and being mindful of off-duty work engagement are pivotal in establishing a work-life balance for physicians. Physicians should employ delegation both in professional and personal settings, entrusting others with tasks to optimize time, which underscores that delegation is not a sign of weakness but a strategy for balance. Constructing a life calendar that encompasses professional and personal activities, coupled with time management skills such as goal setting and utilizing organizers, is essential for a better work-life balance in the face of demanding work schedules.
Once you are ready to begin your job search, check out our career resources for residents and fellows. We offer a free CV builder, CV review service, scholarships, a career guidebook, nationwide live and virtual career fairs, and a job board to help you find your perfect practice opportunity. Additionally, PracticeMatch has launched an Ambassador program to help residents and fellows earn money while helping other residents and fellows through their career journey with the help of PracticeMatch events and resources.